May 31, 2026
Dr. Worawit Tontiwattanasap receiving the 2026 United Arab Emirate Health Foundation Prize at WHA 79
May 20, 2026 at World Health Assembly 79 (WHA 79), Genewa, Switzerland, World Health Organization (WHO) announced the public health prizes and awards. Dr. Worawit Tontiwattanasap Director of Umphang Hospital, Tak province, Thailand received the 2026 United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize, in recognition for his humanitarian work to improve the health of rural, vulnerable and displaced populations.
The United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize was established by the Executive Board of the World Health Organization in 1993, upon the directive of His Highness the Late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayyan, then President of the United Arab Emirates, and on the initiative by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
The Prize is awarded to individuals, institutions or nongovernmental organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to health development since the promotion of the global strategy for achieving health for all by the year 2000, as per the Statutes of the Prize. The prize aims at rewarding outstanding work in health development that has already been accomplished and that has extended far beyond the call of normal duties. [1]
Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap is the Director of Umphang Hospital in Tak province, northwest of Thailand, bordering Myanmar. Dr Tontiwattanasap has dedicated his career to strengthening and transforming access to primary health care for vulnerable and displaced populations, including stateless individuals.
His efforts resulted in significant national resolutions for health subsidies and the registration of undocumented populations. His actions contributed to the expansion of health services through mobile clinics, providing essential health services on both sides of the border in terms of immunization, disease prevention and control for malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, antenatal and maternal care and dialysis treatment.
Dr Tontiwattanasap also provided training to community health workers and auxiliary midwives from Thailand and Myanmar, focusing on humanitarian care delivery. His contributions have significantly advanced the integration of equitable primary healthcare in rural areas.
“Regardless of nationality or legal status, every human shares the same hope for health, safety, and a better future. Our responsibility is guided not by geographical boundaries, but by our ethical values and humanity,” said Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap. [2]
The full speech of Dr Worawit Tontiwattanasap shown below.
It is my honor to receive the United Arab Emirates Health Foundation Prize at World Health Assembly 79, I accept this recognition with deep humility. I share this global recognition with all unsung heroes and heroines who have contributed to this achievement.
For 35 years of my professional career. I have served in Umphang district (Tak Province, Thailand) – a remote mountainous district along the Thailand-Myanmar border, where access to healthcare is very limited. There, healthcare is not only about treatment, but also about dignity, trust, and ensuring that no one is left behind. The community we serve including stateless people, displaced families, and those living beyond the reach of formal systems. Their resilience inspires us to work harder. Working at the border has taught us a simple but powerful truth while borders define nations, they cannot define our humanity.
Regardless of nationality or legal status, every human shares the same hope for health, safety, and a better future. Our responsibility is guided not by geographical boundaries, but by our ethical consciences and humanity. Together we have expanded essential services from immunization and maternal care to the treatment of infectious and chronic diseases reaching people in same of the most challenging settings, especially life-saving interventions. We have learned that meaningful progress always begins with listening to challenges faced by the vulnerable population.
This Prize not only recognizes part efforts but also an investment in the future. Through the Umphang Hospital Foundation, it will directly support the people we serve by helping us extend care to remote communities, strengthen essential services and continue reaching those who might otherwise remain invisible.
This Prize reminds us to strengthen inclusive health systems, uphold equity and ensure that no one, anywhere, is left behind. Thank you for the honour and for your shared commitment to a healthier, inclusive and just world.
To watch the record: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1800659394673558
Reference 1: https://apps.who.int/gb/awards/e/Emirates.html